More than two years into the Russian invasion, Ukrainian high school students face an uncertain future

While high school students in the United States scramble to put together college applications and worry about their post-graduation plans, Ukrainian students live under the constant specter of Russia’s 2022 invasion, questioning whether they have a future in their country.

For many American teens, senior year remains an exciting and reflective time as they begin their transition from high school to college. In war-torn Ukraine, however, many high schools are struggling to maintain engaging academic and social environments for their students.

In the most dangerous areas of Ukraine — Donetsk, Dnipro, Odesa and Kyiv — school administrations are taking precautions to maintain the safety of students and faculty. Today, most schools are online, but they are often disrupted by unstable internet connections and interruptions from air alerts.

Air alerts, government-issued warnings advising citizens to prepare for a possible Russian air attack, require citizens to take cover inside with all doors and windows securely closed. 

Diana, a high school graduate from Kyiv, Ukraine, reflected on how air alerts personally affected her.

“In the first few months yes, [the air alerts were] really scary, but now it is only scary when I hear explosions … I hate [to say it], but I think we got used to [them],” Diana said. 

She then reflected on her senior year, commenting on the adjustments her school made to maintain student safety. 

“Fortunately our school decided to [host] prom, but not as good [or] ‘luxiousous’ as [usual], because something could go wrong at any moment, but it was still a memorable time,” she said. “I’m actually really grateful that we had prom because a lot of students didn’t [have one because] schools were destroyed or occupied.”

Despite her gratitude, Diana admits that her prom experience was not what she had hoped.

“In my dreams [I would] wear a big, long dress, [prom would be hosted at] a fancy place, and [we would have] the perfect after party, but this is what we have now.”

Before moving to a slightly safer region Dnipro, high school student Mariia and her family were living in Donetsk and reported feeling unsafe being in the midst of the war in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

“It was dangerous [in my hometown, Donetsk], I heard explosions almost every day … I remember standing in the yard and I heard an explosion very close to me. That [happened] when I was a child, [which is] why it was probably very memorable.”

Though she faces a near-constant threat of danger, Mariia has learned to remain resilient and separates her fear from her future.

“Of course, but I try not to focus on it all the time, because it would kill me morally,” she said. “I just focus on the present.”

Angelina, a high school student in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine is grateful that she lives in a safer part of the country.

“Thank god I live in the west, [where it is] relatively calm compared to the east, but my brother is also at war,” she said. “Many children [experience] stress [because] many have relatives in the military, [which] is worrying … My family and I call my brother when he can speak, [which is] now probably two times a week. He practically doesn’t tell stories because it will make mother worry even more.”

Despite her relative sense of security, Angelina is keenly aware of the harsh realities of the conflict.

“That’s where the real horror happens.”